Being at home all day as an expat parent is very isolating and many expats just mix with other expats. This is all very well to make friends but you will never have a feel for the country or its culture. The best thing to do, is to teach English and get out and around the city, by teaching English, you meet so many interesting and different people. I have found simply talking to Russians, is the best way to learn about Russia. Its such a big country, deep in history and opinions. Foreigners can only imagine what life was like for Russian people 20 or 30 years ago, but we do know for sure that it was very hard for most Russain people. Life now in Moscow, seems to have changed so much. There are mega rich and consumerism and the car are king here, I don't think this is a good thing but that's another issue for discussion at another time. Get out, travel the metro, visit places as much as you can, and talk to people. Having lived in another eastern European country for five years, I left that country with a memory and image of it that I will never forget. I hope to do the same with Russia. When I am old and in my arm chair (and hopefully not senile), I will think back to my former life and travels and remember these experiences with affection and happiness. In the west we have a negative views of Russia in relation to its past and what we see in the media. There is some truth to every story but its not all as negative as its painted, have an open mind and be ready to adapt.
I think when you visit a country, you should try the local food, listen to traditional music, make friends with the local people and live life to the full in your chosen host country. In my my case, Russia. It takes time of course and the first six months or so will be hard and an adjusting period before you feel relaxed and ready to put your toes in the waters of new experiences and cultures. My toe is now in the water and I am ready to live and enjoy.
Verr true words. I have been here 7 months and not been anywhere but we plan to visit other parts of Russia as soon as we can. This takes effort to get out and do it. Good for you, keep up the blog its very entertaining.
ReplyDeleteEntertaining blog, been meaning to write more about living here in Moscow, but I tend to just post photos.
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting trying to integrate into city life here, but on the whole loving it although the long winter could be interesting as like you I am a 'house husband', but without a kid. But have made a nice mixture of Expat and some Russian friends here so it's all good.
Keep up the good work on the blog, hoping to update mine this weekend.
I think living in a foreign country would be fascinating! Maybe someday I'll be lucky enough to try.
ReplyDeleteWhen we first moved to Russia we also had friends tell us that we should focus on making friends with Russians... it was helpful advice to get us adjusted to living here and to help with language skills! Best of luck to you!
ReplyDeleteThis is a very interesting article! I enjoyed it a lot. I made a video for a video contest (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwsKBgWm2aQ) and I'm giving away $10,000 to people that post comments on the video. I was trying to find someway to translate this information in Russian... Does anyone has any ideas to help me? thank you. You can leave a comment on the video if you know anything and at the same time quality to win the $10,000! thanks!
ReplyDeleteHi, House Husband,
ReplyDeleteNice to have stumbled upon your blog, which is quite fascinating and "refreshing" :-)
Perhaps you, as well as the other folks here, would be interested reciprocally in visiting my website
http://www.russian-victories.ru
If my site gives you some new knowledge about Russia, I will be glad to learn of your opinion.
Michael Kuznetsov
hi im russian and i am anglofil!!!
ReplyDelete